Device for moving load carriers

ABSTRACT

The device ( 20 ) for moving load carriers, such as crates, containers, kegs, comprising a base plate ( 10 ), which encompasses a loading surface ( 11 ) with a free lower side ( 12 ), from which a flange ( 14 ) projects substantially at right angles, can be fixed to the lower side ( 12 ) of the base plate, resting against the flange ( 14 ) for the purpose of storing and transporting stackable containers in a space-saving manner, yet being able to maneuver or move loaded containers in narrow spaces without effort

The invention relates to a device for moving load carriers comprising a base plate, which encompasses a loading surface with a free lower side, from which a flange projects substantially at right angles.

Pallets, crates, containers, including folding containers, in particular made of aluminum, but also kegs and barrels are known as load carriers. In general, they have a base plate with a free lower side with a peripheral flange, which projects downward beyond them substantially at right angles to the lower side. In general, the flange is a solid profile, which completely surrounds the base plate.

Transport containers and pallets comprising support rollers, steering rollers or runners are known.

Permanently fastened pivotable devices, which encompass wheels or rollers, are also known on the lower side of containers. When not in use or for stacking purposes, these devices can be folded in such a manner that they rest flat against the base plate. In addition, they must be fixed in this position.

It is also known to permanently mount such pivotable devices on the lower side of containers in such a manner that the container can either be moved on runners or on rollers.

Both embodiments require a considerable constructive effort for each container with a corresponding weight increase and eliminate the possibility for a space-saving stacking. The space requirement for storing numerous such containers is thus exceptionally high, in fact not only in warehouses but particularly also in loading spaces of trucks, railroad cars or ship containers.

It is thus the object of the present invention to create a device, which, if required, can quickly, simply, safely and at any time as well as without using tools, be fastened to a load carrier, without impairing the stacking ability of the load carrier.

To achieve this object, in the case of the device defined in detail above it is proposed, according to the invention on that the device can be fixed to the lower side of the base plate, resting against the flange.

Advantageously, at least two devices are fixed to the load carrier.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for stackable containers and crates, such as transport crates, tool crates, medicament crates and the like, which can be stored in a space-saving manner and can be transported in bulk containers, for example, but also in barrels.

When unloading such a container by means of a hoist, four devices, for example two comprising support rollers and two comprising steering rollers, can be installed on a filled container, which hangs on a crane, for example, without using tools. The loaded container can then be maneuvered or moved in narrow spaces without effort.

To securely install the device on a container, the device comprises a frame according to the invention, which, on at least one free edge, encompasses a holder for overlapping the flange, wherein a tappet is mounted in the frame so as to be displaceable by means of a clamping lever, said tappet resting against the inner side of the flange, which points in the direction of the base plate in the fixing position of the device.

The device can be fixed to the container in a particularly stable manner in that the holder is not linear, in other words is curved or in that, according to the invention, the device is configured to be installed on the corners of containers, in that provision is made on two adjacent free edges of the device for holders, which, in the region of one corner of the base plate, overlap the flange provided at this corner.

A particularly simple operation of the device according to the invention can be achieved in that a clamping lever is mounted in the frame so as to be pivotable about an axis and encompasses a handle, which protrudes from the device, wherein provision is made at the end of the clamping lever located opposite the handle for a cam for adjusting the tappet.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the tappet encompasses a sliding guide, which is engaged with the cam in such a manner that, when the device is relaxed, the cam reaches into a recess of the sliding guide with play and impinges on a flat portion of the sliding guide in the fixing position of the tappet. In so doing, the device becomes less prone to interference and maintenance. It is virtually free from wear and only a few devices are sufficient for any number of containers. The overall height of the device is low, because the tappet is configured as a plate, which is slidingly guided in the frame.

The drawing reflects exemplary embodiments of the invention, which will be explained in more detail by means of the following description. The figures show the following:

FIG. 1: the corner of a rectangular container comprising the device;

FIG. 2: a top view of the device, partially in section, in the fixing position;

FIG. 3: a further exemplary embodiment of the device in the fixing position;

FIG. 4: the further exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 in the relaxed position.

FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows the corner of a container comprising a base plate 10 with a loading surface 11, on which the load rests as bulk cargo, individual packages, etc. The rectangular container has side walls 13 and a peripheral flange 14 in the region of the base plate 10. The peripheral flange is reinforced and projects substantially at right angles from the lower side 12 of the base plate 10.

The flange 14 has an inner side 15, which points in the direction of the lower side 12, an outer side 16 and an upper edge 17 in the region of the side wall 13.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, a device 20 can be fixed to the lower side 12 of the base plate 10 in the four corners in each case.

The device 20 rests against the lower side 12 of the base plate 10 and can be fixed to the flange 14.

In so doing, a total of four rollers 40 can be disposed at the corners of the container, wherein two rollers are configured as support rollers and two rollers are configured as steering rollers, for example.

The device 20 has a frame 22, which, on at least one free edge, encompasses a holder 44 for overlapping the flange 14.

In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the figures, two respective holders 44 are provided off set at an angle of 90°. For the purpose of facilitating the assembly, each holder 44 can, at its free end, encompass a projection 45, which overlaps the upper edge 17 of the flange 14.

A tappet 21, which can be adjusted by means of a clamping lever 30, and which rests against the inner side 15 of the flange 14, which points in the direction of the base plate 10 in the fixing position of the device 20 according to FIGS. 2 and 3, is mounted in the frame 22.

The clamping lever 30 is mounted in the frame 22 so as to be pivotable about an axis 32 and encompasses a handle 31, which protrudes from the device and is easily accessible below the base plate 10 and which is freely pivotable between the fixing position and the relaxed position of the device.

A cam 33 for adjusting the tappet 21 is provided at the end of the clamping lever 30 located opposite the handle 31, wherein the tappet 21 encompasses a sliding guide 23, which is engaged with the cam 33 in such a manner that, when the device 20 is relaxed, the cam 33 reaches into a recess 24 of the sliding guide 23 with play and impinges on a flat portion 26 of the sliding guide 23 in the fixing position of the tappet 21.

To secure the position of the tappet 21 in the fixing position, even upon impacts, a protrusion 25 in the manner of a dead center is provided between the recess 24 and the flat portion 26.

According to FIG. 2 a leaf spring 27 can also be provided in place of the protrusion, via which the cam 33 is moved, while overcoming a dead center, if the cam 33 is to be brought out of the fixing position according to FIG. 2 into the relaxed position of the tappet 21, in which the cam 33 is located in the recess 24 and the free edges 35 of the tappet 21 are detached from the inner sides 15 of the flanges 14 so that the device can be detached.

Preferably, the spring leaf 27 reaches into the flat portion 26 and is impinged on by the cam 33 in the fixing position. In so doing, the tappet 21 is under a prestress, which points in the direction of the flange 14.

To return the tappet 21 out of the fixing position into the relaxed or disassembly position, provision is made for a protrusion 37 at the tappet 21 in an extension of the sliding guide 23, the cam 33 engaging behind said protrusion 37, if the handle 31 is pivoted in the direction of a stop 36 on the frame of the device 20. In the alternative or in addition, the tappet 21 can, for this purpose, be impinged on by a non-illustrated spring.

Advantageously, provision is made on the frame 22 for a stop 34 for the clamping lever 30 in the fixing position and the stop 36 for the clamping lever 30 in the relaxed or disassembly position.

According to FIG. 2, the spring leaf 27 reaches into the flat portion 26 and is impinged on by the cam 33 in the fixing position.

The cam 21 is configured as a plate, which is slidingly guided in the frame 22. For the position-secure guiding, the plate of the tappet 21 has two longitudinal holes 28, each of which overlaps a journal 29 in the frame 22.

The plate of the tappet 21 can be made of plastic and is thus slightly resilient, for the purpose of which it can also encompass corresponding recesses (FIGS. 2 and 3).

If the plate of the tappet 21 is made of metal, the free edges 35 of the plate advantageously encompass inserts made of elastically resilient material, which rests against the opposite inner side 15 of the flange 14 in the fixing position.

Provision is made on the frame 22 for a bracket 42 for a roller 40. The bracket can be configured as a pendulum roller.

Instead of the bracket for a roller, it can also be provided with slide runners, if it is to be functional to move the container in a terrain with uneven ground conditions.

Likewise, it is possible to provide the bracket 42 of the device 20 with a roller configuration, which is capable of traversing stairs. 

1. A device for moving load carriers comprising a base plate, which encompasses a loading surface with a free lower side, from which a flange projects substantially at right angles, wherein the device (20) can be fixed to the lower side (12) of the base plate (10), resting against the flange (14).
 2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein provision is made for a frame (22), which, on at least one free edge, encompasses a holder (44) for overlapping the flange (14) and wherein a tappet (21) is mounted in the frame (22) so as to be displaceable by means of a clamping lever (30), said tappet (21) resting against the inner side (15) of the flange (14), which points in the direction of the base plate (10) in the fixing position of the device (20).
 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein provision is made on two adjacent free edges of the device (20) for holders (44), which, in the region of a corner of the base plate (10), overlap the flange (14) provided thereon (FIG. 2).
 4. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clamping lever (30) is mounted in the frame (22) so as to be pivotable about an axis (32) and encompasses a handle (31), which protrudes from the device (20), wherein provision is made at the end of the clamping lever (30) located opposite the handle (31) for a cam (33) for adjusting the tappet (21).
 5. The device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tappet (21) encompasses a sliding guide (23), which is engaged with the cam (33) in such a manner that, when the device (20) is relaxed, the cam reaches into a recess (24) of the sliding guide (23) with play and impinges on a flat portion (26) of the sliding guide (23) in the fixing position of the tappet (21).
 6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein provision is made for a protrusion (25) between the recess (24) and the flat portion (26).
 7. The device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the protrusion (25) is formed by a leaf spring (27).
 8. The device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the leaf spring (27I reaches into the flat portion (26) and is impinged on by the cam (33) in the fixing position (FIG. 2).
 9. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the tappet (21) is configured as a plate, which is slidingly guided in the frame (22).
 10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plate of the tappet (21) encompasses two longitudinal holes (28), which overlap journals (29) in the frame (22).
 11. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plate of the tappet (21) encompasses a protrusion (37) for guiding the tappet (21) out of the fixing position back into the relaxed or disassembly position in an extension of the sliding guide (23), the cam (33) engaging behind said protrusion (37), if the handle (31) is pivoted in the direction of a stop (36) on the frame (22) of the device (20).
 12. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plate of the tappet (21) is made of plastic.
 13. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plate of the tappet (21) is made of metal and the free edges (35) of the plate, which rest against the inner side (15) of the flange (14) in the fixing position, encompass inserts made of elastically resilient material.
 14. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein provision is made on the frame (22) for a bracket (42) for a roller (40). 